Celt Islam is current with his latest multi-track sonic art titled Acid Anarchist. On top of that, he’s carrying a whole range of appearances, collaborations, and recognitions in his artist hat. So, it’s a pure pleasure welcoming him and his exclusive live mix Acid Circuits to the 420μHz podcast family for Bardo #9.
Celt Islam?
Celt Islam, definitely one of the most thought-provoking names out there. No matter what interpretation I apply, it sends my thoughts to a parallel universe as valid as this one. Yet, we end up here, with nothing less than thought-provoking and simply fantastic music. I smell art and activism.
Undoubtedly as hinted at initially, it’s hard to describe an artist without sliding over to the musical style that an artist performs. Nevertheless, a person is so much more than their expressed interest or profession. So unquestionably, trying to separate the two might be a challenge. Especially, when when it comes to giving a picture of such an exceptional and influential producer as Celt Islam. After all, as you will see in this case, the art and the artist are symbiotically interlinked, interlinked, interlinked…
“Celt Islam is an English pioneering artist, producer, and peace activist performing high octane Neuro Dub Driven Electro Punk Breakbeat Drum and Bass, transnational Dubstep and Cyberpunk Synthwave electronica with a twist of the Orient.”
– Resident Advisor –
That quote pretty much sums up what I have just mentioned. Likewise, for most of you who have not yet been confronted by his tunes, that would be enough to give you a fair picture. Even though those words are well written and highly worthy of describing him and his art, you would be missing out on a lot. You see, the most interesting part is still to come for your ear-minds.
Forming a picture of a musical artist just by reading about them or their music is like taking a food critic’s word as a reference for your own tastebuds. Neither does having listened to Celt Islam’s productions give the words in that quote any more meaning as well.
With this in mind, I sincerely mean that listening to his music will not only give you a deeper picture of the artist. Most probably, it will jump-start something in your mind and feet as well. That something that makes me at least, ask questions, to flow to transcend.
Particularly for those reasons, it is my pleasure and honor to present the ninth drop of the 420μHz podcast. Therefore and undeniably in tandem with this article, you will get a full spectrum idea of what Celt Islam is all about.
“Uk Electronic pioneer Celt Islam emerges from lockdown with his self styled lp “Acid Anarchist’ delivers bone crunching bass driven music that takes you from dub to delirium whilst combining Islamic and world grooves.”
“As one of the most gifted producers in the genre, we can trace Celt’s melodies and samples back to: Sufism,unleashing the Sufi spirits in the world of 2021 his philosophy, essentially inclusive, and borderless by default , he does this within the genre of his own creation – “Sufi-Dub “
– Mike Hollywood –
Influences
Having firstly concluded, that supplying you with his music will give you one piece of the puzzle. I will secondly try to describe him from the perspective of what I believe are the influences and philosophies behind his art. Similarly, to balance this out, I will move away from my subjectivity and dive into the musical technologies and collaborations behind his art.
Often described as a gifted pioneering artist and peace activist, you can imagine that his music is not inspired by the stuff you hear on popular TV talent shows. Neither are the influences that bring about his art sourced from mainstream commercial drenched radio stations. May I state instead that the artist’s name behind the man can give you a pointer in what direction this is heading? Hmmm, think a non-commercial, dub n bass kind of Thievery Corporation. But still, that simplified description gives an unfair hint of what this artist and his compositions are all about.
“Celt Islam is one of the most gifted producers of his kind. We can trace his melodies and samples back to the most progressive part of Islam: Sufism. He is on a mission to unleash the Sufi spirits in the world; a philosophy which is essentially inclusive, tolerant to difference and other religious systems as well as borderless by default.”
– Bandcamp –
Delving deeper into the name investigation behind the artist to bring out what influences him. In other words, a look at his other musical commitments is going to clear the path even more in those regards.
So, Analogue Fakir, another live band project of his. That name in itself can be laid next to his solo project in philosophy and purpose. It undoubtedly has the same kind of mystery charisma. On the other hand, this project is a band with guitars, bass, drums, and analog synths. Despite being a band, they deliver on their name, and band members bring that alternative Sufi Electro Psy-Dub. A style that blends the mystic orient east with and western electronic futurism.
By all means, this is no name cherry-picking to prove my point. His album called Baghdad is only another of his creations, bearing a name that is charged with oriental history, emotions, and knowledge. Something that is very reminiscent of almost all his music art in terms of influences and execution. Have a listen and you’ll be convinced.
Of course, the inquisitive part of me wonders, if all of these noticeable influences are there, then where did it all start? Was it all a play of nurture, where he was brought up in a home infused with orientalism and musicians? Or a chemically induced moment of clarity? Perhaps it may have been a cool elementary school music teacher, that sparked it all?
Well, might be just easier to ask the man himself who or what inspired you to start making music? Surprisingly and contrarily to what I hypothesized, but at the same time with simplicity of mysticism, he answers: “Who inspired me to write? Hmm, no one! Came from within me”
Some of you might think that I am over-interpreting a straightforward answer here. However, those tracks in addition to being the human and artist that he is, then that is the most likely course of thought.
On a final note, do I have to mention the name of his latest album to thicken the substance of his style particularity?
Sonically Beautiful
Well, at least for now, let’s set aside my personal interpretations of the man and his music. Let’s take a look at what it says on paper. Most importantly what Celt Islam a.k.a Abdullah Hamzah has to say himself about the matter.
Often you can tell a lot about a person by the company they keep. In the case of the world of music and its artists, that is collaborators and band members. So on stage as the group Analogue Fakir he has appeared together with Purple Dave and Bruce Baker. Whereas, Dr. Weevil and Inder Goldfinger sided with him for his Celt Islam project. Adding Mick Reed, on top of that, to that fine lineup of musicians, in the Nine Invisibles collective.
Furthermore, if that was not enough, artists Natacha Atlas, Shahin Badar, Dawoud Kringle, Aki Nawaz, and Mark Iration appear on his original tracks and remixes.
By all means, and from my perspective, he keeps fine musical company most artists can only dream of. Nevertheless, equally important to what we can read about in media and on album covers – I wonder if he has any favorites that stand out among his collaborators?
To that, he says: “Fave collab so far? …Hmm done so many, but I suppose is my new track Ignition from my latest album Acid Anarchist featuring Shahin Badar singer from Prodigy’s Smack my bitch up, and Inder Goldfinger from Winachi Tribe, Transglobal underground and Ian Brown.”
With all that musically exquisite company he keeps, I wonder who will be added in the future? I bet someone who brings originality, experience, and a bit of underground to the mix. As a twisty spin on this, let’s set aside the future for a while and in such a case ask Celt Islam which artists from different eras would make an interesting collaboration.
“Hmm which two artists from different eras. Now that is interesting! Jimi Hendrix and Iggy Pop.” He answers profoundly and immediately I also gaze up and go into a hmm moment. How would such a Celt Islam collaborative track sound? Unquestionably this is where the thought-provoking part of the artist and his art come in. By all means, from what I have experienced listening to his tracks, it would surely be spot on Iggy and Jimmi by Celt Islam. Most certainly, of the highest quality artistically and technically as well.
A Technical Mystery
While it is true that he rolls on stage and in his tracks with some elite musicians. Contrastingly, to the company he keeps and what thought sphere his music comes from, I consequently ask myself how is it all made?
What equipment did you start making music on, I ask. “I started on Atari ST, Cubase, Akai Samplers and various keyboards and drums”, he responds. An answer which immediately takes my associative thoughts to the sampler and analog gear wizard Italo Brutalo. One of our previous contributors to the 420μHz podcast.
On one hand, that seems like the standard setup back in the day. At least for the committed ones. Yet, so many different styles sprouted out of it, giving rise to some classics.
While this may be so, on the other hand, those differences with time’s passing led to style differences that might require other production gear. So, with the previous question in mind, I consequently asked what gear does he you use today to make his music?
“What do I use today ehehe, that is a trade secret!”, he answers concealingly. This time however I don’t fall back on any mystic enigmatism, to interpret the answer. I just take it for exactly what’s stated. Namely, trade secrets have to be protected to keep originality. Knowing, that sharing this would furthermore lead to a watering down of those secrets. Eventually making his art seem like anyone else in a genre. That is, stepping on his craft and livelihood.
If this is so, in the case of Celt Islam, I get it and I dig it. Nevertheless, in line with my keep-information-free spirit, I’m still very curious. Perhaps one day disclosure will come.
Regardless of, that day comes or not, instead in the meanwhile, I can offer the second-best thing around. That is, I’ll just lay out what can be seen on stage while he and his comrades perform. Surely, most of my curiosity can be quenched by scrutinizing and extrapolating on that. Not to mention, putting it all in relation to the tracks from his albums to get an idea of what gear is used to produce his music.
For instance, while performing under the banner of Analogue Fakir, his collaborator Purple Dave fingers Keyboards, Spanish Guitar, and Bass. To that, Bruce Baker contributes with some Analogue Synths. Additionally, he himself has complemented the trio with percussion and keyboards. Thus now the picture starts clearing up, and some hardware can be attributed to the audio bits.
Furthermore, in the disguise of Nine Invisibles, our subject once again handles percussion and keyboards. While Mick Reed pounds the drums and Dr. Weevil spins the decks.
Creeping towards the end of this excursion. Peeking some more at on-stage gear to reach clarity in my quest, he loyally stays true to his percussion and keyboards while performing as Celt Islam. Accompanied by Dr. Weevil and Inder Goldfinger that operate turntables, electric violin, tabla, and percussion, to sum it up.
Lastly, for a more recent look under the hood, you’ll simply have to attend one of his gigs, front line, with a telescopic selfie stick to get a good stare hehe.
That breakdown at least gives me a rough estimate. And it’s only just that, an estimate and not exactly what is used in terms of gear by him in his studio. Still, I will end up with some of the possible components that go into the making of his amazingly executed high-energy productions.
All things considered. Even with only what I can conclude is being used. Then making music with this kind of stylish finesse makes him into a futuristic head-bobbin Dervish.
1. Dub Reflex – Celt Islam
(Earth City Recordz)
2. Dervish – Celt Islam ft. Inder Goldfinger
(Urban Sedated Records)
3. Medina – Celt Islam
(Urban Sedated Records)
4. Bass Mantra – Celt Islam
(Urban Sedated Records)
5. Latern Of The Path – Celt Islam
(Earth City Recordz)
6. Mahdi – Celt Islam
(Earth City Recordz)
7. Natural Level – Celt Islam ft. Peppery
(Urban Sedated Records)
8. I Am ELeCTrOnIK – Celt Islam
(Earth City Recordz)
9. The Invisible Man – Celt Islam
(Earth City Recordz)
10. Black Stone Dub – Celt Islam
(Earth City Recordz)
Live On The Global Stage
So, who listens to the music of Celt Islam? A rightful question to pose to complete the portrait of him or his art. Whether you wanna view these two aspects separately or as one intertwined phenomena, I guess then, having a look at his audience is as important as having a look at influences and collaborators. After all, this music is made for someone, and that fact adds a bit to the story as well.
With this purpose in mind, it would be enlightening to list some of the venues, that gather the crowd of this sonic mystic. Obviously, but a bit needless to say in this regard, is that the premier crowd drawn to his gigs are DnB-enthusiasts. Be that as it may, his performances at festivals like Glastonbury 2010, the 2012 Wee Dub Festival, and the so memorable Ozora of 2014, brought together rockers, dubbers, and psy-heads alike to bounce to his tunes.
If those top scenes were not enough to paint you a picture of the crowd. Instead now try to realize who attended when Celt Islam was the supporting act for oldschoolers like Grandmaster Melle Mel and The Furious Five, The Sugarhill Gang, Public Enemy, Eat Static, Zion Train, Gaudi.
On the whole, these are the kind of artists who the rap, hip-hop or techno, and psytrance audiences nest around. Come to think of it, mixing those genres would not be far off from describing some aspects of his music. With that been said, undeniably, the trip down the avenue of seeing who are the fans of Celt Islam paid off accordingly.
And On Your Speakers
Another valid key point when having a look at the fans and his listeners can be to list some of the digital media he is featured on.
For instance, his tracks have been featured on two bestselling VA compilations by Shisha Sound System and on the Generation Bass presents TransNational Dubstep Album.
In like manner, for you gamers out there, the track Dub Reflex is featured on the EA Sports FIFA 2012 Street 4 Game.
Lastly, and quite impressively, his tracks have regularly been showcased by radio DJs Bobby Friction from BBC Radio 1 Xtra and BBC Asian network’s Nihal.
In short, he draws a wide audience in many dimensions. Not bad, not bad at all.
Our Stage Is Set
And now the turn has come to us. We are honored and pleased to host this active legend on our 420μHz stage for all of you first-timers as well as you frequent flyers on the Celt Islam flying carpet. Here is a blend of high-energy dub, drum n bass, breakbeats, and trance, infused with oriental spices and a pinch of activism. It’s all Celt Islam for ya. Enjoy my friends and thank you for sticking out to the end of this long introduction of Bardo #9 of the 420μHz podcast.
Until next time, relax, smile, and keep your feet and hands within the boundaries of the carpet, as we are about to take off.
Reaching Out To The Artists
For bookings and contacting Celt Islam, he can be reached through:
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/celt-islam
Bandcamp: https://earthcityrecordz1.bandcamp.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celtislam/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/celtislamsoundsystem
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CeltIslam?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQTn0pgO0mLd1rJFTqQ-MkA
Make sure to follow Celt Islam. This is the easiest way to show your support for any label or artist, and this will keep them pushing it for your pleasure.
If you enjoyed this futuristic drum n bass trip that moved us down to the core, and want to keep exploring more into the depths of analog creations, then head on over to Analog Pink Bardo #5 by Italo Brutalo
